Onslow County sees its share of syphilis, gonorrhea and HIV/AIDS cases, but it is chlamydia that tops the list of STDs in the area.

Cases of Chlamydia spiked from 585 between January and June 2011 to 802 between January and June 2012.

Pam Brown, public relations officer for the Onslow County Health Department, theorized that one reason for the spike was new reporting standards.

“In the last year or so, we’ve had local medical providers testing for chlamydia more frequently, and it is being reported to us more accurately,” she said. “We see these spikes often times when a new test comes about. There is more information sharing, the testing speeds up and the reporting gets more accurate.”

Leslie Brandon, the nurse supervisor for the Onslow County Health Department, said the health department started a new policy in the last month to try to get chlamydia meds to those affected.

“It is called expedited partner therapy,” Brandonsaid. “We want the partner of those infected to get tested. We can provide medication to those positive patients to give to their partners.”

This policy is only in affect for those infected with chlamydia.

“We are trying to get treatment for chlamydia out there,” Brandonsaid. “I believe it is the No. 1 reportable STD.”

The STD Clinic is one of the health department’s busiest clinics, according to Brandon. It is staffed with three nurses who have specialized training and work with strict policies and standing orders about STD treatment.

The clinic can test for syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia and HIV/AIDS. All tests are free to the public.

Brandonsaid the clinic is strictly walk-in. Clinic hours are Monday, Tuesday Wednesday and Friday from 8 a.m.to 5 p.m., and Thursday from 11 a.m.to 8 p.m.The last patient is usually seen between about an hour to an hour and a half before closing, with a few exceptions.

“If we diagnose someone with an STD, we give them a card to give to their partners,” Brandonsaid. “(The partner) can take that card anywhere to get tested. If we have someone with that card, and they need treatment only, we can work them in. It is a very quick in-and-out visit.”

Syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia can be treated at the clinic free of charge. Patients with HIV/AIDS are referred out to a disease intervention specialist, who can help them obtain treatment.

Brandonstressed the importance of getting tested.

“These diseases can cause a lot of permanent damage to reproductive organs,” she said. “It is important to get tested and treated as soon as possible.”

There are not mandated recommendations for when people should get tested, and Brandonsaid the health department recommends monogamous relationships.

“Get yourself tested before you become sexually active and have your partner do so as well,” she said. “Sometimes, there may be no symptoms. Chlamydia is one that has the least symptoms, and we see the highest number of cases.”